Everything You Need to Know About Pursuing a Law Degree
If you’re considering pursuing a law degree, it’s crucial to understand what makes a good lawyer and how the legal system works. This guide details everything you need to know about getting your Bachelor of Laws (LLB) so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not this is the right degree path for you.
Typical Course Requirements for LLB in Australia
While the LLB is a three-year degree, it is not a postgraduate law degree. You can study for an LLB after an undergraduate degree, but it is not as advanced or specialised as an LLM or JD (Juris Doctor). You also won’t be eligible for admission to practice law in most jurisdictions.
The LLB is a general law degree that may prepare you for further studies in professional areas such as barristers and solicitors or even academia. However, some people choose specialisations in specific fields, such as corporate and criminal law, after completing undergraduate degrees at other institutions. On the other hand, some will continue with graduate studies, earning a Master of Laws (LLM) by completing an additional one-year coursework component along with exams that must be passed before progressing onto Graduate Certificate programs.
How Does the Degree Course Help You?
As a law student, you will take courses that teach you about the legal system and how it operates. You will learn about how different laws affect people in their daily lives. For example, if someone commits an offence against another person and this crime is prosecuted through the criminal court system (which deals with offences like assault, theft and murder), the victim can sue them for damages as part of their civil action against them. Entrepreneurs may need legal advice on how best to structure their investment contracts to meet any requirements under securities law or corporate law.
The Bachelor of Laws degree program prepares students for a career in one of three areas: public service work (for example, at government departments or agencies), private practice (where lawyers operate independently), or academia (teaching).
Career Opportunities After LLB
While a law degree is not necessary for every legal job out there, it is an excellent idea to pursue your LLB if you want an upper hand in the job market. When it comes time to find a career after law school, your most significant advantage will be your familiarity with legal concepts and terminology.
You will also have learned practical skills that are relevant in almost any workplace: research writing, critical thinking and problem-solving skills through case study analyses, public speaking through oral arguments (or moot court competitions), and the ability to work under pressure—all of which are essential qualities required of an attorney or paralegal.
The LLB Is More Than a Degree
You may think of law as a set of rules that govern society, but it’s really much more than that. It’s also a way of understanding how society works, how people interact with each other, and how they interact with the state. The law shapes people’s daily lives in countless ways: it determines what kinds of contracts they can enter into; it regulates conduct in business dealings; it protects individuals from harm by others; and so on. It’s essential to understand not just what the law is but also how it fits into the social world.
With so many people going to law school, it’s essential to make sure that you’re making the right decision. The best way to do this is by understanding your options and thinking about what kind of legal career may be right for you. If this sounds like something worth exploring further, consider contacting an adviser who can help guide your search into becoming an attorney.
